Exercise apparatus including an exercise machine with a controller capable of communicating with a media device

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus includes an exercise machine and a media device. The exercise machine includes an exercise device and a controller. The exercise device generates an electrical output through an exercise mechanism that drives operation of a power generating unit. The controller includes a status data generating unit for receiving the electrical output and generating exercise status data based on the electrical output, a control unit storing user-configured data and the exercise status data, and a resistance controlling unit controlled by the control unit for causing the exercise status data to conform with the user-configured data. The control unit and the media device are configured to operate according to a personal computer compatible protocol. The user-configured data is established and configured through the media device. The exercise status data is stored in or displayed by the media device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 098221337, filed on Nov. 17, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus, more particularly to an exercise apparatus including an exercise machine with a controller capable of communicating with a media device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Taiwanese Patent Nos. I220388 and M261236, disclosed an exercise apparatus including an exercise mechanism and an operation interface on a machine body. For example, the exercise mechanism may be a combination of a pedal mechanism and a flywheel of an exercise bicycle or a tread belt of a treadmill, and the operation interface which consumes electrical power may be an operation panel, a joystick, a display, etc. Users may establish or configure an exercise condition for adjusting operation conditions of the exercise mechanism via the operation interface, and may receive operation information of the exercise mechanism via the operation interface. Moreover, the exercise apparatus may continue adjusting operation conditions of the exercise mechanism to conform to the exercise condition configured by users via a built-in control unit of the operation interface.

When building a conventional exercise apparatus, it is impractical to have different manufacturers manufacture the exercise mechanism and the operation interface separately for achieving demands for modularization and simplification of manufacture because the aforementioned exercise mechanism needs continuous control by the operation interface. Furthermore, users are not able to access exercise information about heart rate, mileage and exercise conditions, and transfer the exercise information to other exercise apparatuses for continued usage because the operation interface is fixed to the machine body and is operable only in combination with the specific exercise mechanism.

Thus, in Taiwanese Patent Nos. M320130, M256975 and M247237, an exercise panel or an exercise apparatus is provided with a transmission interface for connection to a portable storage device. Users may store, record, retrieve and continue using the exercise information on other exercise apparatuses with the same transmission interface by virtue of the portable storage device, such as a USB flash drive. However, an exercise mechanism of the disclosed exercise apparatus still needs continuous control by the operation interface, and thus it is not suitable to have different manufacturers manufacture the exercise mechanism and the operation interface separately for achieving demands for modularization and simplification of manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an exercise apparatus with modular components.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise machine configured to operate according to a personal computer compatible protocol and having an interface adapted for connection to an external media device.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a controller for an exercise machine.

Accordingly, an exercise apparatus of the present invention includes an exercise machine and a media device. The exercise machine includes a machine body, an exercise device disposed on the machine body, and a controller disposed on the machine body. The exercise device includes a power generating unit operable to generate an electrical output, and a user-operable exercise mechanism. The power generating unit includes an electrically-controllable variable resistance unit. The exercise mechanism is coupled to the power generating unit and is manually operable to drive operation of the power generating unit. The controller includes a first transmission interface, a status data generating unit, a control unit, a resistance controlling unit, and a power supply unit. The status data generating unit is for receiving the electrical output of the power generating unit, and generates exercise status data based on the electrical output received from the power generating unit. The control unit is coupled to the first transmission interface. The control unit and the first transmission interface are configured to operate according to a personal computer compatible protocol. The control unit stores user-configured data received via the first transmission interface. The control unit is further coupled to the status data generating unit, and stores the exercise status data generated by the status data generating unit. The resistance controlling unit is coupled to the electrically-controllable variable resistance unit, and is further coupled to and controlled by the control unit to vary resistance of the electrically-controllable variable resistance unit for causing the exercise status data to conform with the user-configured data. The power supply unit is coupled to and receives the electrical output of the power generating unit, and is further coupled to the first transmission interface, the status data generating unit, the control unit and the resistance controlling unit for supplying power thereto. The media device is configured to operate according to the personal computer compatible protocol. The media device includes a second transmission interface that is operable to establish connection with the controller via the first transmission interface so as to receive the exercise status data from the controller, an operation interface that is user-operable for establishing the user-configured data that is provided to the control unit via the first and second transmission interfaces, and at least one of a storage unit for storing the exercise status data received by the second transmission interface and a display screen for display of the exercise status data received by the second transmission interface.

According to another aspect, an exercise machine of the present invention is configured to operate according to a personal computer compatible protocol, and is adapted to establish connection with a media device. The media device is configured to operate according to the personal computer compatible protocol. The exercise machine includes a machine body, an exercise device disposed on the machine body, and a controller disposed on the machine body. The exercise device includes a power generating unit and a user-operable exercise mechanism. The power generating unit is operable to generate an electrical output, and includes an electrically-controllable variable resistance unit. The user-operable exercise mechanism is coupled to the power generating unit, and is manually operable to drive operation of the power generating unit. The controller includes a first transmission interface, a status data generating unit, a control unit, a resistance controlling unit, and a power supply unit. The status data generating unit is for receiving the electrical output of the power generating unit, and generates exercise status data based on the electrical output received from the power generating unit. The control unit is coupled to the first transmission interface. The control unit and the first transmission interface are configured to operate according to the personal computer compatible protocol. The control unit stores user-configured data received via the first transmission interface from the media device. The control unit is further coupled to the status data generating unit, stores the exercise status data generated by the status data generating unit, and transmits the exercise status data to the media device via the first transmission interface. The resistance controlling unit is coupled to the electrically-controllable variable resistance unit, and is further coupled to and controlled by the control unit to vary resistance of the electrically-controllable variable resistance unit for causing the exercise status data to conform with the user-configured data. The power supply unit is coupled to and receives the electrical output of the power generating unit, and is further coupled to the first transmission interface, the status data generating unit, the control unit and the resistance controlling unit for supplying power thereto.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a controller for an exercise machine. The exercise machine includes a power generating unit and an exercise mechanism for driving operation of the power generating unit. The power generating unit includes an electrically-controllable variable resistance unit, and is operable to generate an electrical output. The controller includes a first transmission interface, a status data generating unit, a control unit, a resistance controlling unit, and a power supply unit. The status data generating unit is for receiving the electrical output of the power generating unit, and generates exercise status data based on the electrical output received from the power generating unit. The control unit is coupled to the first transmission interface. The control unit and the first transmission interface are configured to operate according to a personal computer compatible protocol. The control unit stores user-configured data received via the first transmission interface. The control unit is further coupled to the status data generating unit, and stores the exercise status data generated by the status data generating unit. The resistance controlling unit is to be coupled to the electrically-controllable variable resistance unit, and is further coupled to and controlled by the control unit to vary resistance of the electrically-controllable variable resistance unit for causing the exercise status data to conform with the user-configured data. The power supply unit is to be coupled to the power generating unit for receiving the electrical output thereof, and is further coupled to the first transmission interface, the status data generating unit, the control unit and the resistance controlling unit for supplying power thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the fol lowing detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an exercise apparatus, an exercise machine of the exercise apparatus which is configured to operate according to a personal computer compatible protocol, and a controller for the exercise machine; and

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating components of the exercise machine and a media device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the exercise apparatus 200 of the present invention includes an exercise machine 20 and a media device 30.

The exercise machine 20, which is configured to operate according to a personal computer compatible protocol, includes a machine body 21, an exercise device 22 disposed on the machine body 21, a controller 23 disposed on the machine body 21, and a power supply interface 24.

In this embodiment, the exercise machine 21 is in a form of an exercise bicycle.

The exercise device 22 includes a power generating unit 224 operable to generate an electrical output, and a user-operable exercise mechanism 222. The power generating unit 224, such as an AC generator, includes an electrically-controllable variable resistance unit 225, such as a variable resistance load. The exercise mechanism 222 is coupled to the power generating unit 224 and is manually operable to drive operation of the power generating unit 224.

In this embodiment, the exercise mechanism 222 is in a form of a pedal mechanism, and may include a flywheel in practice.

The controller 23 includes a first transmission interface 234, a status data generating unit 232, a control unit 235, a resistance controlling unit 233, and a power supply unit 231.

The first transmission interface 234 and the control unit 235 are configured to operate according to a personal computer compatible protocol.

The status data generating unit 232 is for receiving the electrical output of the power generating unit 224, and generates exercise status data based on the electrical output received from the power generating unit 224.

The control unit 235 is coupled to the first transmission interface 234, and stores user-configured data 236 received via the first transmission interface 234. The control unit 235 is further coupled to the status data generating unit 232, and stores the exercise status data 237 generated by the status data generating unit 232.

The resistance controlling unit 233 is coupled to the electrically-controllable variable resistance unit 225, and is further coupled to and controlled by the control unit 235 to vary resistance of the electrically-controllable variable resistance unit 225 according to a difference between the user-configured data 236 and the exercise status data 237 to thereby vary an internal load of the power generating unit 224 for causing the exercise status data 237 to conform with the user-configured data 236.

In practice, a proportional integral derivative control technique may be adopted to perform recursion multiple times for causing the exercise status data 237 to conform with the user-configured data 236.

The power supply unit 231 is coupled to and receives the electrical output of the power generating unit 224, and is further coupled to the first transmission interface 234, the status data generating unit 232, the control unit 235 and the resistance controlling unit 233 for supplying power thereto.

The power supply interface 24 is disposed on the machine body 21, and is coupled to the power supply unit 231 so as to receive power therefrom. The power supply interface 24 includes at least one of a battery charging port 241, an AC commercial power port 242, a USB port 243 and a direct current (DC) power port 244, each adapted for connection to an external device for supplying power thereto.

The media device 30 is configured to operate according to the personal computer compatible protocol. The media device 30 includes a second transmission interface 33 that is operable to establish connection with the controller 23 via the first transmission interface 234 so as to receive the exercise status data 237 from the controller 23, an operation interface 32 that is user-operable for establishing the user-configured data 236 that is provided to the control unit 235 via the first and second transmission interfaces 234, 33, and at least one of a storage unit 311 for storing the exercise status data 237 received by the second transmission interface 33 and a display screen 312 for display of the exercise status data 237 received by the second transmission interface 33. In practice, the media device 30 is selected from the group consisting of a mobile phone, a portable computer, a portable media player, a game console, a desktop computer, and a television set.

Furthermore, the media device 30 is pre-installed with a multimedia software application so that users may establish or configure the user-configured data 236 and view the exercise status data 237 in a user-friendly manner. In this embodiment, a portable computer is adopted as the media device 30 so that users may access the exercise information and transfer and use the information on other exercise machines. Moreover, if the exercise machine 20 is used at home, a desktop computer or a television set may be adopted as the media device 30, so that the same usage effect is achieved by connecting the exercise machine 20 to the media device 30 for transmission therebetween.

In practice, the first transmission interface 234 and the second transmission interface 33 may be wired communication interfaces, such as USB, or wireless communication interfaces, such as Bluetooth.

In summary, the demands for modularization and simplification of manufacture are satisfied since the exercise machine 20 and the media device 30 are manufactured separately, and are connected for communication with each other according to a personal computer compatible protocol. For manufacturers of the exercise machine 20, it is no longer required to manufacture operation panels according to a conventional technology so that the production cost of the exercise machine 20 is reduced and a production time of the same is shortened. For users, the exercise information may be access through the media device 30, and transferred to other exercise machines for continued usage. Specifically, media devices 30 which are configured to operate according to a personal computer compatible protocol are very common nowadays. Users generally possess mobile phones, portable computers, desktop computers, and television set, which may be configured for use with the exercise machine 20, thus achieving an effect of expanded functionality.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. An exercise apparatus comprising an exercise machine and a media device, wherein said exercise machine includes a machine body, an exercise device disposed on said machine body, and a controller disposed on said machine body; wherein said exercise device includes: a power generating unit operable to generate an electrical output, said power generating unit including an electrically-controllable variable resistance unit; and a user-operable exercise mechanism coupled to said power generating unit and manually operable to drive operation of said power generating unit; wherein said controller includes: a first transmission interface; a status data generating unit for receiving the electrical output of said power generating unit and generating exercise status data based on the electrical output received from said power generating unit; a control unit coupled to said first transmission interface, said control unit and said first transmission interface being configured to operate according to a personal computer compatible protocol, said control unit storing user-configured data received via said first transmission interface, said control unit being further coupled to said status data generating unit and storing the exercise status data generated by said status data generating unit; a resistance controlling unit coupled to said electrically-controllable variable resistance unit and further coupled to and controlled by said control unit to vary resistance of said electrically-controllable variable resistance unit for causing the exercise status data to conform with the user-configured data; and a power supply unit coupled to and receiving the electrical output of said power generating unit and further coupled to said first transmission interface, said status data generating unit, said control unit and said resistance controlling unit for supplying power thereto; and wherein said media device is configured to operate according to the personal computer compatible protocol, and includes a second transmission interface that is operable to establish connection with said controller via said first transmission interface so as to receive the exercise status data from said controller, an operation interface that is user-operable for establishing the user-configured data that is provided to said control unit via said first and second transmission interfaces, and at least one of a storage unit for storing the exercise status data received by said second transmission interface and a display screen for display of the exercise status data received by said second transmission interface.
 2. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said exercise machine further includes a power supply interface that is disposed on said machine body, and that is coupled to said power supply unit so as to receive power therefrom, said power supply interface including at least one of a battery charging port, an AC commercial power port, a USB port and a direct current (DC) power port, each adapted for connection to an external device for supplying power thereto.
 3. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said exercise machine is in a form of an exercise bicycle, and said exercise mechanism of said exercise device is in a form of a pedal mechanism.
 4. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said media device is selected from the group consisting of a mobile phone, a portable computer, a portable media player, a game console, a desktop computer, and a television set.
 5. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first transmission interface and said second transmission interface are wired communication interfaces.
 6. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first transmission interface and said second transmission interface are wireless communication interfaces.
 7. An exercise machine configured to operate according to a personal computer compatible protocol and adapted to establish connection with a media device, the media device being configured to operate according to the personal computer compatible protocol, said exercise machine comprising a machine body, an exercise device disposed on said machine body, and a controller disposed on said machine body, wherein said exercise device includes: a power generating unit operable to generate an electrical output, said power generating unit including an electrically-controllable variable resistance unit; and a user-operable exercise mechanism coupled to said power generating unit and manually operable to drive operation of said power generating unit; and wherein said controller includes: a first transmission interface; a status data generating unit for receiving the electrical output of said power generating unit and generating exercise status data based on the electrical output received from said power generating unit; a control unit coupled to said first transmission interface, said control unit and said first transmission interface being configured to operate according to the personal computer compatible protocol, said control unit storing user-configured data received via said first transmission interface from the media device, said control unit being further coupled to said status data generating unit, storing the exercise status data generated by said status data generating unit, and transmitting the exercise status data to the media device via said first transmission interface; a resistance controlling unit coupled to said electrically-controllable variable resistance unit and further coupled to and controlled by said control unit to vary resistance of said electrically-controllable variable resistance unit for causing the exercise status data to conform with the user-configured data; and a power supply unit coupled to and receiving the electrical output of said power generating unit and further coupled to said first transmission interface, said status data generating unit, said control unit and said resistance controlling unit for supplying power thereto.
 8. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a power supply interface that is disposed on said machine body and that is coupled to said power supply unit so as to receive power therefrom, said power supply interface including at least one of a battery charging port, an AC commercial power port, a USB port and a direct current (DC) power port, each is adapted for connection to an external device for supplying power thereto.
 9. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 7, being in a form of an exercise bicycle, wherein said exercise mechanism of said exercise device is in a form of a pedal mechanism.
 10. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first transmission interface is a wired communication interface.
 11. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first transmission interface is a wireless communication interface.
 12. A controller for an exercise machine, the exercise machine including a power generating unit and an exercise mechanism for driving operation of the power generating unit, the power generating unit including an electrically-controllable variable resistance unit and being operable to generate an electrical output, said controller comprising: a first transmission interface; a status data generating unit for receiving the electrical output of the power generating unit and generating exercise status data based on the electrical output received from the power generating unit; a control unit coupled to said first transmission interface, said control unit and said first transmission interface being configured to operate according to a personal computer compatible protocol, said control unit storing user-configured data received via said first transmission interface, said control unit being further coupled to said status data generating unit, and storing the exercise status data generated by said status data generating unit; a resistance controlling unit to be coupled to the electrically-controllable variable resistance unit and further coupled to and controlled by said control unit to vary resistance of the electrically-controllable variable resistance unit for causing the exercise status data to conform with the user-configured data; and a power supply unit to be coupled to the power generating unit for receiving the electrical output thereof and further coupled to said first transmission interface, said status data generating unit, said control unit and said resistance controlling unit for supplying power thereto.
 13. The controller as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first transmission interface is a wired communication interface.
 14. The controller as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first transmission interface is a wireless communication interface. 